Inhibitor #2

You lack coordination and body and spatial awareness. The Solution: Use complex exercises.

Riding requires that you understand where your body is in relation to your horse and where your horse is in space. Your hands and feet must also act simultaneously, but separately, as you steer, maintain or change speed, and navigate obstacles inside or outside the arena. If you struggle to do this well, you give your horse mixed signals.

Most exercises incorporate the entire body, use weights or other tools, or require a combination of both. As you complete an exercise properly, you learn to be mindful of where your body is in space and where the weight is in relation to your body. You focus to move your legs or arms independently and brace with your core to successfully execute a specific movement, and you get better at it with practice. Mastery of this skill in the gym improves coordination as you ride. Your ability to simultaneously steer with your hands, cue with

your feet, and stabilize with your core becomes better.

To complete a pattern at a show you must assess the size of the arena, determine where the markers are, and then plan how you’ll execute maneuvers to scale and in relation to those markers. The same rule applies in a trail pattern, on a trail ride, or with cattle; you must be able to gauge distance accurately to be successful. Spatial awareness improves through complex exercises in the gym, and especially non-bodyweight movements that require equipment. You must be aware of where the barbell, dumbbell, or medicine ball is in relation to yourself as you move. You get comfortable with these tools as you use them, and your spatial awareness and overall athleticism improves.